FEATURES / CONTAINS

CAUTIONS

TAGS

TARGET AUDIENCE

Adult, Senior, Teen (Age 14 - 18)

PERFORMANCE GROUP

College Theatre / Student, Community Theatre, Dinner Theatre, Professional Theatre, Large Stage

RECOGNITION / AWARDS

From Broadway, From West End

This boulevard comedy was a smash hit in Paris, where it played for over two years, and in London, where it ran for six years at the Apollo and Duchess Theatres. It has since played in theatres all over the USA and the English speaking world and is due for revival in London in 2013.

Bernard is planning a romantic weekend with his chic Parisian mistress in his charming converted French farmhouse, whilst his wife, Jacqueline, is away. He has arranged for a cordon bleu cook to prepare gourmet delights, and has invited his best friend, Robert, along too to provide the alibi. It's foolproof; what could possibly go wrong? Well.... suppose Robert turns up not realizing quite why he has been invited. Suppose Robert and Jacqueline are secret lovers, and consequently determined that Jacqueline will NOT leave for the weekend. Suppose the cook has to pretend to be the mistress and the mistress is unable to cook. Suppose everyone's alibi gets confused with everyone else's. An evening of hilarious confusion ensues as Bernard and Robert improvise at breakneck speed.

"Hurtling along at the speed of light, this breathtaking farce is a near faultless piece of theatrical invention. Within seconds we are drawn into a delicious web of marital treachery which accelerates with classic symmetry to an all-star denouement." - The Guardian

"The labyrinthine twists and turns are liberally sprinkled with jokes, amiably roared to keep everyone giggling...It gives the whole cast the chance to enjoy themselves going over the top....The performance is a delight." - Daily Telegraph

"I feared it would be boring-boring, but it isn't-isn't. It's a nifty comedy farce about double adultery and gourmet cooking...I can't think of a better way of forgetting the recession." - Sunday Times

"I found myself having two of the most rib-tickling hilarious hours I have spent in the theatre in some time. It’s amazing what the right combination of smart writing, polished acting and slick direction can do to energize a tired genre...A text book example of how to create the perfect farce." - Chicago Style Magazine

"The good times are back at the Royal George Theatre....A series of rib-rousing strokes. All night long. Better yet, you don’t have to suspend your intelligence...In a comedy of confusion that almost collapses under the weight of duplicity, mistaken identity, and extramarital affairs, but somehow stays in the air like a precarious but well-built souffle." - Chicago Tribune

Don't Dress for Dinner was first presented n the West End by Mark Furness Ltd at the Apollo Theatre in London, England, in 1991. It was directed by Peter Farago.

Characters

CASTING

3m, 3f

CASTING ATTRIBUTES

Ensemble cast

CHORUS SIZE

N/A (Not a musical)

ROBERTBERNARDJACQUELINESUZANNEGEORGESUZETTE

Rental Materials

MUSICAL STYLE

N/A (Not a musical)

VOCAL DEMANDS

Marc Camoletti (1923-2003) authored more than 40
plays and became a Chevalier de la Légion d’Honneur in France. Boeing-Boeing, his first major
international success, ran for seven years and 2000 performances in its debut
London production. It became the Guinness
Book of Recordsmost performed French play worldwide. The Paramount film
starred Jerry Lewis, Tony Curtis and Thelma Ritter. A later ... view full profile

Other Marc Camoletti titles:

Robin Hawdon
is a British playwright especially known for the popularity of his comedies. Mr. Hawdon’s plays are amongst the most frequently produced around the world – his name is as well known abroad as in his native Great Britain. At any one moment there are likely to be a dozen or so productions of various titles, old and new, running in various countries. Many of his plays are published ... view full profile

Other Robin Hawdon titles:

This farce is clever and the writing is thick with zany characters, quick dialogue and physical comedy. It is definitely in my directing queue for next year.

Anthony Carton5/1/2015 11:30 AM

I have been in this play many years ago and forgot just how hysterical it is. The crazy, yet sometimes confusing plot line. It's an actors dream as the characters play out multiple roles during this French farce. I am directing this show next year and am really looking forward to being able to make my audiences roll in laughter and leave the theatre with their sides and cheeks sore. Perfect small cast and minimal tech. Looking forward to it! A great script! Highly recommend it.